King’s Mill in top 10% nationally for survival of trauma patients

King's Mill Hospital, part of Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been ranked in the top 10-15% of hospitals in the country for survival of the most severely injured patients.

The East Midlands Trauma Network went live in April 2012, with King's Mill Hospital becoming the first trauma unit to be accredited in the region. As a trauma unit the hospital ensures patients who have suffered the most serious of injuries are given access to the best medical care in the area quicker than ever, using links to a specialist major trauma centre. The successful King's Mill Hospital process is being used as a template for rolling out across other units in the region wishing to become accredited as trauma units.

Being part of the Network, the hospital is required to submit data to the national independent Trauma Audit Research Network data for those patients who are significantly injured who are admitted, transferred or die.

Dr Ben Owens, Service Director for Emergency Care at Sherwood Forest Hospitals said: "This report is good news for our patients and demonstrates the excellent care we provide to our most severely injured patients.

"It has been shown that rapidly assessing and transferring those patients with the most severe of injuries increases their chances of survival and their subsequent recovery.

"There is no doubt that the fantastic, state of the art facilities we have within our new emergency department and the dedication of our staff here at King's Mill Hospital has helped us to achieve these excellent results."

Notes to Editors

King's Mill Hospital went 'live' as a trauma unit on 2 April 2012.

'Major trauma' is used to describe the most severe life-threatening injuries, or when people suffer from multiple injuries. It can include arm or leg amputation, severe knife and gunshot wounds, a major head or spinal injury.

Trauma is less severe and includes injuries such as a fractured hip, ankle or minor head injury.

A trauma network comprises a major trauma centre which is linked to a number of trauma units. A major trauma centre will receive the most severe trauma cases and will provide 24 hour, seven days a week specialist emergency care for people with the most serious injuries. The nearest major trauma centre locally is the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

A trauma unit will stabilise patients who need to be transferred on to the major trauma centre or look after less seriously injured patients.

ENDS

Issued by the Trust's Communications Department

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